Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-02-24
Gales aud Sketehes.
A woNAN's WIT.


why break an engagement! Ana oeiofo
90 down to the stupid hole where papa
wants to bury me. will you 60 with me to
the dressmaker's?"
Certainly" | replied. To myself |
said: "She will plan to escape me at the
dressmaker's. must watch her there :"
Miss Matilda wrote the note. She
sent it off before nv eyes. and without
leaving the room she called maid to
bring her her lace shawl and hat and
veil. "And my pearl-skin colored gloves,
Rose" she addrd. "And remember,
pack everything nicely"
Then, having hidden good bye to her
weeping friend, who called her papa a
brute and who refused to be introduced
to me. we started off. AS we left the
house watched her closely. There was
something in her lace did not like but l
felt that was master Of the situation.
"Where does your dressmaker live?" |
asked.
She gave me the address. 1t was not a
s,ore-a fashionable set of parlors -
street. There Law the danger, and knew
it. Miss Matilda" said !, you will
forgive me for reminding you that | can
not leave YOU even Tor moment"
mo need to remind me of that, she
answered, in tone that was not, to say
the least of it, very complimentary.
We walked down the street together.
and I, as an elderly gentleman, felt that
| might offer her my arm. She was capa-
BILE, | saw, of running away at any mo
ment, but she did not run. She sauntered
slowly staring at the shops as she went
on, and making remarks about the people
we passed. She carried little bay in
her hand and twirled it as she walked.
What happened might have been ex'
pected. At the turn of the street a young
man, dressed in respectable clothing.
darted up and snatched the bag. and i'm
mediatelv turned and fed. However, he
did not far. for before | could utter a
word, stout policeman had darted from
A shop door, siezed the thief and held
him pale with terror and shaking like an
aspen leaf, until we walked up.
Your bag, misses?" asked the police
man.
"Oh. yes," said Matilda. I'm SO
thankful YOU caught him. Oh, how could
YOU be go wicked? But perhaps I'D
better let you off, young man. now I've
got the money back"
See if it is safe, MISS" said the police
man.
Matilda opened the bag. Its empty
said she.
VIDA, bave you played that game p
said the policeman. You'll have to come
up TO the office, miss. and make charge.
Wen search him he must have it about
him.
"I'll give it up, sir" said the young
man, .Here is the money" and he
handed $40 bill to the policeman. "Oh,
miss, I'm really not an old offender.
Circumstances drove me to the commits
sion OF the crime. Forgive me-
That's all bumbug." said the police.
man; "come along. You follow, if you
please. miss. don't consider it the
duty of good citizens to let such fellows
off, for my part"
Nor L." said l. Come on. Miss Ma
tilda."
The policeman led the way with the
Young man. AS we walked behind,
particularly noticed that he bad very
gentIemanly appearance. New York
thieves often have. My heart really bl' d
irr him He was one who should have
pla, ed a better part.
We arrived at the station and were led
INTO sort of private parlor, where we
were asked to wait awhile, the prisoner
being led away by the policeman. saw
| the door of the room in which the justice
sat. open; saw the prisoner standing be
| fore him. Then it closed with a bang. lr
another instant the policeman returned.
| "Miss." said he, His honor wishes t.
see you alone. Our young man declares
the affair a conspiracy against him, ant
you will be questioned separately. NJ
| fl nee, sir"
None" said L. Then I beckoned tc
he policeman apart, and slipped two dol
lars into his hand. Don't lose sight o
the young lady until she rejons u.s."
said.
mo. sir; on no account" said he An,
off they went together. They were gor
10 minutes. and returned as they went
Miss Matilda had been weeping.
The ladv's evidence was all sufficient,
said the man.
Then they have committed him P" SAT-
"Yes, he's committed" said Matilda
ooh. poor fellow! I'LL go now. MIR
Martin"
led her away. As we went saw III,
policeman grinning after us. | couldn'
think why.
We said very little as we walked on
and we we're at the dressmaker's in M
time. Now nor never would she b4ffl
me. She might escape by the back doc
or the root; how could tell ? | refused t.
allow her to go into the next room.
stared at her while madam-a,l indigna
Ition-measured her shoulders and tn
length of her skirt. When she went be
hind a screen to be "tred on" watched
her little feet below it, and when go
her out of the house rejoiced We caugh
the train by hairs breadth. did no
doubt that she tried to miss it altogether
and all night | watched her
lest at some station sh
might vet elude me. When "a hours iron
our first meeting. rang the bell of he
fathers residence, was a jaded being
but was triumphant. | walked into he
fathers chamber with Matilda on my arm
Sir" I said. ~ have done my duty
Here is Miss Matilda Middlebury."
Shall ever forget that moment7 AS
spoke, Matilda turned about with laugh
You've made a mistake" said she
"A married woman bears her husband
name. Mrs. Jackson, il you please
Papa. here is my certificate, and this i
my ring" She drew off her gloves a
she spoke, and a heavy wedding ring
which she had not worn when we started
glttered on her finger You were afrai